Faults:

Climate control panel LCD distorted - replaced under warranty.

Bubble / gurgling sound from under the tailgate area once the engine is turned off after driving. Audi said they could not hear it. From looking on forums, it seems to be fuel related.

Slight rattle on bad roads from where the sunroof switches are - quite annoying.

The 4 exhaust tips go black every 2 weeks - rather like a diesel.

General Comments:

Blistering performance, massive turbo as standard with a bit of lag.

Quick shifting gearbox isn’t the smoothest at times and changes up way too early, almost pulls off in second. Audi say it's normal.

MPG way, way off the Audi claim of 40 MPG combined. I get an average of 25 MPG at best, and in town around 20 MPG at times. I therefore doubt the claimed 149 CO2 (very competitive on paper given the power) is at all accurate.

Feels extremely solid and the build quality is superb. But to be honest, brand new it was £48k so I would expect this. The finish puts BMW and Mercedes models of this ilk to shame. Loads of lighting throughout the cabin - red lights on the doors (the 2017 model Audi cheapened this to reflectors!) and Audi logo lighting plus LED everywhere, including the cup holders.

Ride is very firm but it does have 19” alloys and needs to be firm due to the performance.

Virtual cockpit is a master piece, so stylish - I really love it. It’s a bit annoying you cannot get rid of the range of fuel left, especially as it goes down at such an alarming rate. Sweeping rear lights also uber stylish.

Very good looking car with the 19” wing arm alloys, chrome trimmings, black roof rails, tints and rare Tango red paintwork. A lot of S3s are in Grey with the standard 18” alloys and can look a little bland as the standard styling doesn’t set the pulse racing in the rather typical VAG group fashion.

A quality product, nice image, sounds great and overall I would recommend it highly. Just don’t believe you will ever see the claimed 40 MPG combined.

Faults:

I've only owned the S3 for 3 months, and the only problem is that when I shut the drivers door, it still tells me it's open. This happens when it feels like it, and seems to happen more when the weather is warmer. Sometimes I have to shut the door several times, and if I'm on the outside it has to be shut properly in order for the interior light to go out, and more importantly, the alarm to be set. Will get it fixed at the next service, at a cost, but I'm wondered if it was something I might be able to sort out myself.

General Comments:

The 6 year old S3 is a great car and feels expensive. The leather is nice and the car still smells new. It handles well and the power is smooth.

My previous car was an Impreza which had similar performance and handling, but a crazy insurance premium. The S3 came in at exactly half, and I didn't have to have a tracker device fitted either.

Faults:

Nothing major so far (touches desk), just one tyre to replace, 225 R18 40...£200 from Kwikfit... grumble (only place I could find open on a Sunday afternoon).

Annoying rattle from trim underneath the exhaust.

General Comments:

Was looking for a quick 4WD car for a while, Subaru's & Evo's were a bit too in your face for my liking, eventually decided on the S3 over the Cupra as I didn't like the looks or the depreciation.

Stunning car, Black, sits on 18" RS4 alloys & silver mirrors (were on the car before I got it), silver cream interior, 6 CD changer etc.

What can I say, goes like stink and I've driven quick cars, used to have a VTS and owned a GSXR600 as well. Superb handling, grip is superb although like all Audi's it understeers at the oddest times, usually wet roundabouts or junctions, but generally it's a superbly balanced and well composed, performance is superb and 6th is surprisingly torquey on the motorway, driven it to Scotland from London a few times. Induction hiss from the Turbo is addictive. Exhaust seems to get louder as the journey goes by.

Interior is a very nice place to be, Recarro's key you firmly in place and you need them in this car. Stereo sounds great, but can be a bit fiddly on when pressing on.

Great build quality, great driving experience. There are faster cars on the road and cheaper VAG part bins specials I know, but the overall package is superb and I'd highly recommend this car. Rare too which adds to the appeal. Hard to find a good one as a lot are stolen recovered.

Only downsides are poor legroom in the back due to the large Recarro's, but then I don't have kids so who cares. Boot space is really poor, but enough for a suitcase and a biggish bag.